Democrat Amish Shah, a physician and former state representative, defeated Republican Jay Feely in Arizona's 1st Congressional District, flipping the seat blue in his second bid and marking the 37th pickup for Democrats as they retook the House of Representatives.
The Associated Press called the race at 12:02 p.m. Thursday, with Shah winning 52.5% of the vote to Feely's 45.5%. The seat opened after Republican incumbent David Schweikert ran unsuccessfully for governor.
The district, historically one of the most competitive in the country and rated Leans Democrat by the Cook Political Report, drew national attention throughout the 2026 cycle after Schweikert's unsuccessful run for governor. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had placed the race on its "red to blue" target list, and Feely earned endorsements from President Donald Trump and donations from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Shah campaigned on affordability, opposition to Trump's tariffs, support for Social Security and Medicare, universal healthcare, funding law enforcement, and stopping drug trafficking across the southern border. He argued the war in Iran had driven up US prices.
Feely ran on Trump's "America First" agenda, emphasising border security, keeping biological males who identify as women from competing in women's sports, combating antisemitism, and bringing down the cost of living through policies such as tax cuts. He said he wanted to end the war in Iran "as quickly as possible" without ground troops, while maintaining that Iran should not be able to have a nuclear weapon.
Shah and Feely were previously colleagues in the NFL: Feely as a kicker for the New York Jets, Shah as the team's physician. Trump carried the district in 2024 by 3 percentage points.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Shah's victory is part of the Democratic takeover of the House, shifting the balance of power in Washington.
- The district, with a high share of independent voters, serves as a bellwether for suburban and swing-seat trends.
- The race pitted clear contrasts on economic and social issues, reflecting national party fault lines.
Background
Arizona's 1st Congressional District has long been one of the most competitive in the country. Republican David Schweikert held the seat until he ran for governor. Both parties poured resources into the open-seat race, with Trump's endorsement and the DCCC's target list amplifying its profile.
Key Perspectives
Amish Shah: campaigned on affordability, opposing Trump's tariffs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, universal healthcare, funding law enforcement, and stopping drug trafficking. He linked the Iran war to rising US prices.
Jay Feely: ran on Trump's "America First" agenda, prioritising border security, barring transgender women and girls from women's sports, combating antisemitism, and cutting taxes. He supported ending the Iran war quickly without ground troops while opposing a nuclear-armed Iran.
What to Watch
- How the Democratic House majority uses its power on legislation and oversight.
- Whether the district's independent voters shift in future cycles, given Trump's 2024 win there.
- Potential 2028 rematch if either candidate runs again.